Pakistan demand removal of match referee after handshake controversy against India

    Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has demanded that Andy Pycroft be removed from his duties at the Asia Cup following the game against India in Dubai where both teams did not shake hands afterwards.

    Andy Pycroft Andy Pycroft

    The PCB alleges that Pycroft had "requested the captains not to shake hands at the toss" as is customary in cricket matches.

    Naqvi wrote on social media: "The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket.

    "The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup."

    There was also no handshakes between the sides after the match with India retreating to the dressing room as the Pakistan players approached.

    Pycroft is one of two match referees at the Asia Cup, Richie Richardson being the other, and has two more games to officiate in during the group stage of the tournament: Hong Kong vs Sri Lanka in Dubai on Monday and Pakistan vs UAE, also in Dubai, on Wednesday.

    The ICC has no organisational role in the Asia Cup but the match officials are allocated by the governing body.

    Tensions between the two countries has escalated since cross-border hostilities in May with India only going ahead with the contest after their government gave permission.